Reshuffle on the cards

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is considering reshuffling his cabinet following the resignation of Witthaya Kaewparadai as public health minister over alleged irregularities involving the economic stimulus scheme.

Myresignation is to acknowledge public sentiment, not my guilt, because the budget has not been disbursed—not one baht. - WITTHAYA KAEWPARADAI PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTER

Mr Abhisit yesterday confirmed he would call a meeting of Democrat Party executives early next week to discuss the possibility of a reshuffle.

It is widely speculated that Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu, who is in charge of economic affairs and oversaw another economic stimulus package, the Community Sufficiency Project, before the Democrats were saddled with corruption charges involving the project, would be replaced.

Mr Korbsak is expected to be offered the position of secretary-general to the prime minister. His cabinet post would be filled by Trairong Suwannakhiri, a party source said.

Mr Abhisit said Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodee of the Bhumjaithai Party was expected to announce his resignation today.

Mr Manit appeared to be uncomfortable at yesterday's cabinet meeting and had little to say.

Mr Witthaya, a Democrat, and Mr Manit are among 11 people - four politicians and seven officials - named by a government-appointed committee chaired by former deputy health permanent secretary Banlu Siripanich in connection with alleged budget iregularities and flawed management at the Public Health Ministry.

The suspected irregularities involve the ministry's implementation of the Thai Khem Khaeng scheme.

The committee found the 11 people named had behaved suspiciously and were negligent in implementing the ministry's massive procurement plans.

Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodee, right, inspects equipment on a helicopter at the Royal Thai Police Aviation Department. Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai, inset, announces his resignation. WEERAWONG WONGPREEDEE AND APICHIT JINAKUL

Mr Abhisit yesterday applauded Mr Witthaya's decision to resign from his position. He said it showed a sense of responsibility. But he also urged the public not to judge Mr Witthaya.

"I told all cabinet ministers to learn from what has happened at the Public Health Ministry," he said.

"They should pay careful attention and solve the problems as quickly as possible if a similar problem occurs because society needs them to take responsibility."

The prime minister declined to say if the allegations against Mr Witthaya and Mr Manit would tarnish the image of the Democrat-led coalition.

The prime minister said Mr Witthaya's resignation was in line with his "nine iron rules" which he declared on taking office in December last year as applying to his government ministers.

Among these are his requirement that all ministers perform their duties with honesty; that they be sensitive to public sentiment in their actions; and that they avoid doing anything that might undermine public confidence in the government.

"The resignation is to show the innocence of the accused and let the investigation move on," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart has been assigned to head the Public Health Ministry.

Mr Witthaya's resignation came as a surprise. On Monday he cast doubt on the committee's findings and insisted there was no corruption.

"The prime minister asked me what actions I will take," Mr Witthaya said. He announced his resignation after a meeting with Mr Abhisit.

"I told him that I don't want to be a burden to the prime minister and to the nation. My resignation is to acknowledge public sentiment, not my guilt, because the budget has not been disbursed - not one baht."

The minister said he would hand in his resignation letter today.

A source close to Mr Witthaya said the public health minister opted to resign to avoid the issue being politicised.

Mr Witthaya said he would give his full cooperation to the inquiry and asked the prime minister to immediately set up another committee to look into the allegations.

Meanwhile, several public health officials implicated by the Banlu panel yesterday shook their heads in disbelief, saying the findings were unfair.

Rewat Wisarutdej, director of the Medical Science Department, said he had answered questions involving the medical supply procurement schemes.

"I was there three hours giving information. A deputy director spent three hours and the director of the Cancer Institute spent another five hours doing the same thing," he said.

"We thought the committee had a clear understanding. Obviously it doesn't."

Permanent secretary for public health Paijit Warachit yesterday said he would seek a meeting with Mr Abhisit to clarify the allegations and discuss a review of the scheme.

Dr Paijit has been found negligent in his duty in his capacity as a deputy permanent secretary implementing the ministry's Thai Khem Khaeng scheme.